Jerwin Ancajas retained his IBF super flyweight title by holding off a tough challenge from Jonathan Rodriguez to win via unanimous decision at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Sunday morning (Manila time).
Ancajas got the nod of all three judges with scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110 in their bout that was part of the undercard of the Premier Boxing Champions-promoted Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets welterweight clash. He sent the Mexican challenger down in the eighth round with a barrage of punches that helped swing the fight in his favor. It was the first time Rodriguez was knocked down in his career.
Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) retained the title he won in 2016 for the ninth time. Rodriguez (22-2, 15 KOs) suffered just the second loss of his career as he lost his U.S. debut.
Both fighters combined to throw 1,584 total punches in a highly entertaining and grueling bout, with Rodriguez outlanding Ancajas 273-232. But the Filipino champion connected with the more telling blows while also registering the bout’s lone knockdown. Ancajas also went to the body more, landing more body shots 131-44, and had more jabs 56-20. Rodriguez had a big edge in power shots, 253-176.
Ancajas, whose left eye had some swelling, called this his “toughest defense. This was very hard for me.” He then called out other champions at 115 pounds, specifically Juan Francisco Estrada, as he continues to seek a unification bout. “I want to fight all of the other champions in this division. I proved again that I’m a real champion and I deserve to be on the level with the rest of the champions.”
